Why New Year's Resolutions Fail

New Year's Resolutions: It's a tradition that invokes everything from delight to resignation, has a success rate akin to winning the lottery and has the power to launch feelings of guilt, failure, and dark humor in a flash. And yet every year, millions of people are drawn to the ritualistic hope of achieving some magical outcome as if, perhaps, FINALLY, we will triumph over a stubborn habit or fear that has resisted (clobbered, thrashed, walloped?) our most sincere efforts in years past.

But, alas, the annoying reality is that the payback for this year's toil will probably be no different than last, or the one before that (sigh). Research over the years has concluded that about 80% of all New Year's Resolutions are broken by January 31. If that resolution had something to do with health and fitness (working out, losing weight, quitting smoking, etc), 90% will be history by January 15th!! By the end of the year, less than 5% of us will have persevered with our resolutions intact. It's easy to see why so many people don't take this annual ritual serious to begin with. What's up with all THAT?

Notwithstanding their diabolical reputation, New Year's Resolutions can be a very positive resource. They can provide an opportunity for us to evaluate our progress in life, which is not a horrible idea. They can invigorate our lives with inspiring challenges and wonderful experiences to look forward to. Who says they have to be a drag? Just because things haven't worked out well in the past with respect to your resolutions is no reason to assume they never will. And, just because you may have never considered New Year's Resolutions as a wonderful mechanism for creating new and exciting outcomes, doesn't mean it's too late to start doing that.

Some people choose to approach this annual ritual with a degree of triviality and playfulness. Nothing at all wrong with that. In fact, it may be the perfect approach for many. So for those who prefer "Resolutions Lite", I've got some great suggestions later in this article. And for those who really do long for a triumphant breakthrough in some area of life, I have some suggestions on how to give your resolutions a fighting chance this year.

Why New Year's Resolutions Fail

Simply put, if our lives and actions were conducive to producing a particular result, we would probably produce it, especially if it was important to us. Our brains are wired in such a way that certain behaviors keep repeating themselves, which in turn produces results that are consistent with those behaviors. Trying to change a behavior without working on the "wiring" is like trying to convince yourself to drink buttermilk when the very thought of it makes you want to puke. Let's face it, if you hate working out at the gym, then buying a three-year contract at your local fitness center in hopes that it will somehow shame you into working off that beer gut is nuts! (Something you may have learned from painful experience.)

The starting point to being successful at ANYTHING in life, including resolutions, is your expectations. Whether or not you expect to accomplish something will decisively impact whether or not you do. Expectations cause two things to happen. First, they stimulate actions that are consistent with the expectation. Outcomes are then produced which are consistent with those actions. And second, expectations inspire a particular quality of conversations. The surrounding environment (friends, family, co-workers, acquaintances, etc.) begins to respond to those conversations, and that environment takes actions and produces outcomes that are consistent with those conversations.

For example, if you are confident that you can replace the leaky faucet in the bathroom, even though you've never done it before, your attitude will be positive and your actions will have a quality about them that produces results. You're likely to stick with those actions long enough, and learn what you need to learn, to get those results. You will find people who can help you and you will learn from them. If you stick with it, your environment will come to know you as someone who can figure things out, or at least, someone who can fix faucets. The next time a faucet leaks, or a door squeaks, you'll be inclined to build on your previous triumph and take a crack at something new.

On the other hand, if you don't think you can fix the faucet because you don't how, or you think it's not worth it to try, then your attitude, thinking and enthusiasm will be much more limited. Your actions will be half-hearted and you probably won't stick with it for very long even if you do start. People won't take you seriously, and may even decline to support or participate in your efforts. In the end, you'll produce a result that reflects all of these factors. In this case, you won't fix the faucet and you will be less likely to attempt similar projects in the future. Substitute the example of "fixing the faucet" with "losing weight", saving money", "writing a book", "falling in love"... well, you get the picture. The nature of expectations is that they determine what action we will take and the quality of that action. The expectation itself will be a dominant force in determining the outcome.

And that's what makes New Year's Resolutions so vexing for most of us. Regardless of what we say we want, or how badly we want it, or how sincere or determined we are, the "reality" for each of us is that we expect to do the same things we've always done, with the hopeful chance of some improvement. The trick to busting out of this Resolutions cycle is to find a way to think outside your expectations, because if you don't do that, no amount of strategizing or goal-setting is going to make much difference. It isn't an overnight process, but there are some steps you can take that can get you headed in the right direction.

Resolutions Lite

About 10 years ago, I considered resolutions to be a waste of time. As much out of frustration as anything I decided to resolve something that I was absolutely certain I could accomplish - I was going to visit a new restaurant at least once a month. I had so much fun with it that I renewed it for two more years. I next decided that I was going to attend a musical concert each month for an artist I had never seen before. THAT WAS A GREAT YEAR! I looked forward to keeping my resolution every month. And here's a very important point - the quality of my life experience increased simply by keeping that "lite" resolution. Subsequent resolutions included buying a new kind of wine once a month, and reading a magazine that I'd never read. I came to see myself as someone who knows and appreciates good food, music and wine. I also came to understand that I was talented enough, and resourceful enough, to conquer new challenges. Guess what that can do for your self-esteem?

Three years ago I upped the ante on myself and resolved to visit the Caribbean four times a year, which was a real expansion, but one I was salivating over it. Bingo! I loved it so much that I figured the only thing that would make it better was if someone else was paying for it! Two projects arose from that realization. I've designed a 7-day course on getting what you want in life that will be delivered aboard a cruise ship beginning in 2007. And second, I am co-writing a series of books with a travel-agent friend that details what you need to know if you are going to take a cruise to the Caribbean. The first one goes on sale in January, 2007. Woo Hoo!

Over the past ten years, as I "accomplished" each of my lite resolutions, I automatically expanded my point of view. Ten years ago, it was inconceivable for me to imagine that I would write a book about cruising to the Caribbean. But as I took each successive step, my expectations about my ability to achieve success expanded and became more deeply entrenched. While the decision to write a book about the Caribbean, or design a program aboard a cruise ship, would have seemed gargantuan several years ago, by the time I actually declared that resolution, it wasn't such a big step at all. Indeed, it was a logical and natural progression.

Of course, this path takes time and one never knows for sure where it will ultimately lead, so it isn't well suited for producing a specific result in the short term. But, if you employ this strategy, you will be amazed at how your expectations of yourself develop. After that, who knows what you can accomplish, including those pesky resolutions that have kicked your butt in the past. So, if your inclination is to take the leisurely path that celebrates the fun of life, then by all means, choose this one and follow it enthusiastically. Make your Resolution something that you will look forward to all year long. Take up painting pottery, visit a museum once a month, volunteer for a charity or send unsolicited post cards for no reason at all. The palette of possibilities is unlimited. And the payoff is magical.

Earnest Resolutions

If this is the path you choose, then by all means, read my free e-book listed at the end of this article. This path could be challenging, and not without risk. But, you weren't born to sit safely on the sidelines, content to accept whatever you get. One of our greatest human assets is the capacity to dare greatly against the odds. Sure, you sometimes get your ass kicked, but you'll never be mistaken for a flat tire on the side of the road!

"The credit belongs to the man in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly. His place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat." -Theodore Roosevelt

Here are a few guidelines that could have this year turn out to be the most amazing year of your life.

1. Ask yourself why you want this particular resolution to come true.

Modern day philosopher Phillipa Foot points out that "...the wise man knows the means to certain good ends; and secondly, he knows how much particular ends are worth." Some pursuits are more worthwhile than others. Is your resolution worthwhile, or is it trivial? The wise person understands the folly of shallow obsessions like material wealth, personal power, perfect bodies, or making points with the boss. If money, power, beauty, fine houses and perfect bodies were the ultimate keys to happiness, then every millionaire athlete or pop star or "Top 100 Sexiest (whatever)" would be supremely happy and every farmer, school teacher and massage therapist would be abjectly miserable.

2. If your life was set up to support you in having the outcome you want, you probably would already have it.

Since you don't, it's a safe bet that you're not really committed to having it. I'm not suggesting that you are deceiving yourself, (though that is possible), but you may be committed to something else more and you just don't know it. That being the case, it would be a really good idea to determine whether or not you're committed to this thing you want or if you are just interested in it. READ MY E-BOOK AND LEARN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BEING COMMITTED AND BEING INTERESTED. Ultimately, you will always fulfill your commitments! That's an energy worth harnessing if you ask me.

3. Stop looking outside yourself for why you don't have what you want.

Instead, take an honest look INSIDE - at your expectations. You probably have one of three beliefs, or expectations: 1) you don't deserve what you want, 2) you aren't really capable of getting what you want or 3) you don't really think it's worth what it would take. Your results have very little to do with circumstances or other people's actions. It's your expectations that are undermining your efforts. You just haven't been aware of how that works (until now.)

4. Retrain your environment, friends and family to support your resolution.

Whenever you're not getting the result you want, you have structures in your life that are sabotaging your efforts. By "structures" I mean, you've spent years, maybe decades, designing your life and training the people in your life to operate in a particular way. That way of operating does NOT include having this particular outcome. It isn't necessarily opposed to it either. It takes work to convince your spouse, kids or boss to make room for a new commitment, but don't count on anything being different if you don't handle this first.

5. Choose the meaningful path for yourself.

Stop having your life be defined solely by your accomplishments. What are you contributing to others? What are you creating? When you're 100 years old, you're not going to care if your hair, or your wardrobe, or your car was perfect all those years. I've asked dozens of senior citizens what they regretted about their lives and what they loved. Every one of them said they regretted not being true to their own counsel and loved it when they experienced life on their terms. Those that were really happy also said that they had experienced true love. I think they know something. We should listen.

In the end, New Year's resolutions will continue to be a challenge for many of us. Along the way, you become whatever your choices are. If you choose mediocrity and safety, you become mediocre and safe. You can either choose to be defined by your expectations, or you can choose to be defined by your inspirations. When you choose the inspiring path, what you end up with and how long it takes to get it, doesn't matter.

Christmas In Various Countries

Christmas is both a religious holiday and increasingly a secular holiday heavily influenced by local culture. As a result, Christmas traditions are as diverse as the world is diverse culturally.
In the United States, for example, Christmas traditions are a literal potpourri of the Christmas traditions brought by immigrants, mostly European. For example, Yule log (English), Christmas tree (German), carols or noels (France), Santa Claus (Dutch). In more recent times, newer Christmas traditions have arrived with the most recent immigrants such as luminaries (Mexico) and "Feliz Navidad!" greeting (Latin America generally).

The following is a whirlwind tour of some of the fun and different Christmas traditions around the world.

Africa
Christmas traditions in Africa are culturally rich and diverse. In Ghana, Christmas Eve is marked by the children parading through the streets singing Christmas songs and shouting "Christ is coming, Christ is coming! He is near!" Church services are held both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Following Church services, family and close friends celebrate a meal of fufu, a past made from rice and yams, with stew or okra soup, porridge and meats.

In Liberia, oil palms decorated with bells are used for a Christmas tree. On Christmas Day, simple gifts are exchanged among friends and family, such as cotton cloth, soap, sweets, pencils, and books are exchanged. Church services on Christmas morning usually have a reenactment of the first Christmas. Christmas dinner, which consists of rice, beef and biscuits, is held outdoors. Friend and family enjoy games and night fireworks.

Asia
While the peoples and cultures of Asia are far removed from Christianity and its Christmas traditions, the local Asian Christians have uniquely blended their Christian faith with their local cultures. For example, Christmas in China (the Holy Birth Festival) has many of the traditional Christmas symbols. Chinese Christian families decorate Christmas trees, or Trees of Light, with red paper chains (red is the color of happiness in Chinese cultures), lanterns and flowers. The children anxiously await the arrival of Dun Che Lao Ren which in Chinese means "Christmas Old Man.". When permitted by local law, Asian Christians do gather in churches on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to celebrate the birth of Christ.
Even though the vast majority of Asians are not Christian, the secular aspects of the Western Christmas traditions (Christmas trees and gifts) have become fashionable among many of the Asian middle and upper classes. Throughout Asia at Christmas time, you can find large department stores decorated with Christmas trees, Christmas lights and the occasional Santa Claus.

Europe
An American would find him or herself quite at home with the Christmas celebrations throughout Europe since so many of America's Christmas traditions originated in Europe. Of course, many Christmas traditions in England have been adopted in America - mistletoe, Yule logs, Christmas hymns ("Hark! The Herald Angel Sings", "Deck the Halls" ), carolers, Christmas stories (Dickens's "A Christmas Carol"), roasted chestnuts, wassail, hanging stockings by the chimney.

But even in England, there are unique Christmas traditions - Christmas dinners with turkey with chestnut stuffing, roasted goose with currants, Yorkshire pudding, Christmas cake. On Christmas Day, the Queen delivers a Christmas greeting by radio and television. Perhaps the most puzzling for their American cousins is Boxing Day, the day after Christmas when people give small gifts to service provides and merchants with whom they associate during the year.

Every European country has its unique Christmas traditions as well as traditions that are shared with other Western cultures. In Germany, the children excitedly count the days before Christmas with an Advent calendar. In Holland, the children anticipate the arrival of Sinterklaas on St. Nicholas Day on December 6 and it a letterbanket, a cake shaped in the form of the first letter of the family's last name. In Sweden, In Sweden, the Christmas festivities begin on December 13 with St. Lucia's Day, the patron saint of light. Early in the morning of St. Lucia's Day, the oldest daughter in a Swedish family dresses as the "Queen of Light" (wearing a long white dress and a crown of leaves). She enters the bedroom of each family member to serve them treats.

Latin America
La Navidad (Christmas) is a colorful, exciting holiday throughout Latin America. While the celebrations vary widely, the religious significance is still the focal point for the celebration. Mexico is a typical example of the focus on the original Christmas story. In Mexico, Las Posadas, the nine days reenactment of Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem begins on December 16th. For the next 8 evenings, the celebrants reenact Mary and Joseph's search for lodging by going door to door with two costumed children carrying images of Mary and Joseph. On Christmas Eve (Buena Noche), the children lead the procession to the local church and place Mary and Joseph in the nacimiento (crèche or manger). Mass is held at midnight followed by church bells and fireworks.

Poinsettias, piñatas, farolitos (luminaries) and tamales are all a joyous part of the Christmas season in Mexico. Poinsettias, with their red star-shaped flowers, decorate Mexican homes and serve as a reminder of the boy who was going to church to see the nativity scene but had no gift for the Christ child. On his way, he found some small green branches which he brought and laid by the nativity scene as his gift. Some people laughed at his sincere, but humble gift. However, these small branches soon blossomed with the beautiful red poinsettias blossoms.

During the Christmas season and on Christmas Day, pinatas, papier-mache Christmas figures and symbols, are filled with candy and suspended in the air by a rope while blindfolded children try to break them open with a stick. When the piñata is broken, the candy spills on the floor and the children scramble to retrieve as much as they can.

January 6th ( the Day of the Three Kings or Wisemen) marks the end of the almost month-long Christmas celebrations throughout Latin America. In Mexico, on the eve of January 5th, the children leave their shoes on the windowsill and find them filled with candy and small gifts the next morning. In Venezuela, the children leave straw next to their beds on January 5th and the next morning find that the straw has been replaced with gifts.

No matter where in the world one visits, joyous and colorful Christmas celebrations await.

Christmas Celebrations Around The World

Christmas in USA

The United States of America integrates different elements from different places in its Christmas celebrations. The Christmas tree tradition comes from Germany, parades from Latin America, Carols from the English and Australians, Santa Claus from the Europeans and more. Apart from the general celebration with feasting, caroling, decorating and gift-giving, each family in the US has their individual Christmas celebrations. And even the traditions vary from one place to another within the US. In Washington DC for instance, there’s this central celebration with lighting of the tree on the Ellipse. Here you’ll find one big tree (which represents the nation) and other smaller trees (standing for other states). In New Orleans, caroling is the focus of Christmas—thousands throng the Jackson Square each year on Christmas to have a huge group/ community caroling around big bonfires lit along the river Mississippi. The oldest city in the US, St. Augustine, Florida, has the whole of the city lit up in white lights on Christmas. No lights except white are allowed on Christmas. Then again, many Americans love to hit Hollywood, California to treat their eyes to the annual Parade of Stars, while others entertain themselves at Christmas concerts or caroling festivities in and around the cities.

Christmas in France

Joyeux Noël ! For all the curious, that’s ‘Merry Christmas’ in French. In France, Christmas is called Noël and Father Christmas is known as Père Noël. Christmas trees are decorated with red ribbons and candles. Fir trees are also lighted on Christmas. People gather together and feast on meat and fine wine. The French kids put shoes and boots by the hearth for Santa to keep Christmas goodies in them. And nearly every family sets up a Nativity scene at home on Christmas.

Christmas in Spain

Feliz Navidad ! Now that’s ‘Merry Christmas’ for the Spanish-speaking population. Spanish Christmas is essentially religious in spirit and celebration. Virgin Mary is the country’s patron saint and hence, Spain observes a pious Christmas festivity. Here, Christmas officially begins from December 8, the day of the feast of the Immaculate Conception. Each year, the Spanish celebrate Christmas in front of Seville’s Gothic cathedral with a ceremony known as ‘los Seises’ or the ‘dance of six’.

Christmas in Portugal

Portuguese Christmas is much in the same street as Christmas in Spain. Whatever gifts Father Christmas brings to the kids, are kept at the base of the Christmas evergreen or in shoes by the fireplace. At midnight on Christmas Eve, the Portuguese have a special Christmas meal of dry and salted cod-fish and boiled potatoes. And in the early morning of the Christmas day, they have a meal called ‘consoada’, where seats are left empty at the table for the ‘alminhas a penar’ or the ‘souls of the dead’. This comes from the ancient practice of leaving seeds to the dead ancestors in hopes of getting rewarded with a more bountiful harvest. So boas festas ! Have a great party this Christmas and New Year !

Christmas in England

England holds claim to the origin of hanging stockings on Christmas. It’s believed that Father Christmas once dropped some gold coins while coming down a chimney and the coins landed on one stocking hanging out to dry. Since then, the idea of hanging stockings on Christmas held ground and children today, make it a point to hang their stockings for Santa Claus to fill these up with Christmas goodies. In some parts, ‘pantomime’ is also a popular Christmas tradition. And the wishing ‘Merry Christmas’ and gift-giving is of course there in England.

Christmas in Germany

In Germany, the St. Nicholas Day celebration of December 6 is similar to the Christmas celebrations of the English. Apart from wishing each other a ‘Froehliche Weihnachten’ or ‘Merry Christmas’, the Christmas customs and traditions of Christmas vary from one region to another in Germany. The St. Nicholas Day is primarily a day reserved for the young ones to have fun and get pampered in gifts. After this, the actual Christmas gift-giving kicks off at the Christmas Eve night. Gifts are usually kept under the Christmas tree and people enjoy a traditional roast goose in their Christmas meal. The Weihnachtsmann (a look-alike of St. Nicholas) brings gifts on Christmas and sometimes these are brought by the Christkind (a fairy child often like baby Jesus).

The Truth About Christmas

Have you ever wondered about Christmas? From the time you first found out there really was no Santa Claus, did you ever question other aspects of this incredible holiday ? Did you ever wonder where Christmas came from? Why have a Christmas tree? Where did the idea of Santa Claus originate? Why is this day celebrated on the 25th of December? What do all these symbols and festivities really mean? What is God 's perspective on these things? If you were surprised when you first discovered the truth about Santa Claus, you will be even more surprised by the rest of the story.

Christmas Is Not Christian!

As shocking as it might sound, there is nothing Christian about Christmas. It was men who created the word "Christmas" from the phrase "Mass of Christ." In this way, Christ's name came to be associated with this holiday and millions have come to believe it is a Christian observance. The truth is that this holiday, with the same symbols and ceremonies, was practiced many centuries before Jesus was ever born. In fact, it did not become a part of professing Christianity until hundreds of years after the Savior's crucifixion and ascension to heaven.

This truth is confirmed by the testimony of both religious and secular authorities. The 1911 edition of the Catholic Encyclopedia illustrates that Christmas did not originate in Palestine but rather in Egypt.

Christmas was not among the earliest festivals of the Church...the first evidence of the feast is from Egypt... Pagan customs centering around the January calends gravitated to Christmas.

The celebration of Christmas was not embraced during the days of the apostles or the early New Testament church. Consider the words of the Encyclopedia Americana, 1944 edition which states:

Christmas... was, according to many authorities, not celebrated in the first centuries of the Christian church, as the Christian usage in general was to celebrate the death of remarkable persons rather than their birth.

The Origin of Christmas

Biblical authorities and secular historians agree that the celebration of Christ's birth did not enter the church until hundreds of years after Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. It was not until the fifth century that the Roman Catholic Church ordered this day to be celebrated. Furthermore, the church directed this celebration to take place on the same day as the pagan festival dedicated to worshiping the sun god.

The connection between Christmas and a variety of pagan practices is thoroughly documented. Not only the day, but its symbols are intimately connected to religious practices embraced by the pagan world. William Walsh, a recognized authority on Christmas, writes:

...the Christmas festival...is a gradual evolution from times that long antedated the Christian period... It was over laid upon heathen festivals, and many of its observances are only adaptations of pagan to Christian Ceremonies. (The Story of Santa Klaus p. 58)

...It was on or about December 21st that the ancient Greeks celebrated what are known to us as the Bacchanalia or festivities in honor of Bacchus, the god of wine. In these festivities the people gave themselves up to songs, dances and other revels which frequently passed the limits of decency and order. (The Story of Santa Klaus p. 65)

...the Saturnalia, held in honor of Saturn, the god of time, began on December 17th and continued for seven days. These also often ended in riot and disorder. Hence the words Bacchanalia and Saturnalia acquired an evil reputation in later times. (The Story of Santa Klaus p. 65)

Why December 25?

Today, most of the world celebrates Christmas on the twenty-fifth of December. Werner Keller writes in The Bible as History:

December 25 is referred to in documents as Christmas day in A.D. 324 for the first time. Under the Roman emperor Justinian [in the 500's] it was recognized as an official holiday. An old Roman festival played a major part in the choice of this particular day. December 25 in ancient Rome was the 'Dies Natali Invictus,' 'the birthday of the unconquered sun,' the day of the winter solstice and at the same time, in Rome, the last day of the Saturnalia,...a week of unbridled carnival... (p. 331)

It is clear from the record of history that Christmas originated during pre-Christian times and was celebrated by the pagan world for centuries after the death of Christ. This day then became embraced by the Roman Catholic Church in the fifth century. Where did the pagans get their ideas regarding such a celebration?

Through her politics and the use of her son's Nimrod's name, Semeramis became the queen of Babylon, the home of the Chaldee Mysteries. She was also regarded as the "queen of Heaven" and "the mother of the divine son." After generations of these idolatrous practices and traditions, Nimrod came to be considered the son of Baal, the sun god. He and his mother became the chief entities of worship as a Madonna and child.

This belief and practice spread to Egypt, where the names of the gods were Isis and Osiris. The son Osiris was born December 25. In Asia it was Cybele and Deonius. In Rome they were called Fortuna and Jupiter. Throughout the world we still find the remnants of mother and child worship to this day. It is no surprise that this same system still exists at the end of the age. It is called "Mystery Babylon" (Revelation 17:5). Shockingly, it is disguised as Christianity and is still practiced in Christmas.

From Paganism to Christianity

The great historian Will Durant described how paganism actually took upon itself Christianity and converted it to pagan purposes.

Christianity did not destroy paganism; it adopted it... From Egypt came the idea of a divine trinity... [and] the adoration of the Mother and Child... From Phrygia came the worship of the Great Mother... The Mithraic ritual so closely resembled the Eucharistic sacrifice of the Mass that Christian fathers charged the Devil with inventing these similarities to mislead frail minds. [Modern day] Christianity was the last great creation of the ancient pagan world. (The Story of Civilization, p. 595)

It is clear that a wide range of pagan practices became assimilated into the Roman Catholic Church. It began with embracing the birthday of the sun god and establishing the date of this celebration as December 25.

It is interesting to note that the practice of sun worship began in early Egypt. There the priests would make a round wafer to represent the sun. The celebrants would eat the wafer, symbolizing the sun god's life and the nourishment of man's soul.

Clearly, the church was embracing paganism in an attempt to increase its numbers and draw in a non-believing world. In reality, it was the church being absorbed by those who practiced beliefs totally contrary to Christianity. In his book The Two Babylons Alexander Hislop characterized it this way:

Long before the fourth century, and long before the Christian era itself, a festival was celebrated among the heathen at that precise time of the year, in honor of the birth of the son of the Babylonian queen of heaven; and it may fairly be presumed that, in order to conciliate the heathen, and to swell the number of the nominal adherents of Christianity, the same festival was adopted by the Roman Church, giving it only the name of Christ. This tendency on the part of Christians to meet paganism half-way was very early developed... (p. 93)

The church eventually adopted and merged several different pagan ceremonies to eventually end up with the modern day practice of Christmas and the New Year celebrations we witness today.

Christmas Through History

During the latter part of the third century, Deus Sol Invictus became the official deity of the Roman Empire. At that time, a great temple was built in honor of the sun and the sun's birthday was officially set as December 25. This date was chosen because it was the accepted date of the winter solstice. Less than 100 years later, Emperor Constantine came to power in Rome. At the beginning of Constantine's rule, it was a violation of Roman law to practice Christianity. Christians were hated by the state and were subjected to great persecution.

However, Constantine saw something in Christianity he believed could be very valuable in holding the empire together. Despite great persecution, Christians remained dedicated to their faith. This commitment so impressed Constantine that he issued "The Edict of Toleration" in 313 A.D. and made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire. As a result, state persecution of Christians stopped. However, the news was not all good. Because Christianity became the state religion, the church became very political and the doctrines embraced by the church were watered down and seriously compromised. Jesse Hurlbut describes this period in his book, The Story of the Christian Church.

...the establishment of Christianity as the state religion became a curse... Everybody sought membership in the church, and nearly everybody was received. Both good and bad, sincere seekers after God and hypocritical seekers after gain, rushed into the communion. Ambitious, worldly, unscrupulous men sought office in the church for social and political influence...

The services of worship increased in splendor, but were less spiritual and hearty than those of former times. The forms and ceremonies of paganism gradually crept into the worship. Some of the old heathen feasts became church festivals with change of name and of worship.

Legalizing Christianity solved one problem for the church, but it caused another. Millions of pagans were suddenly made "Christians" literally overnight. These pagans had no desire to give up their pagan practices, however. Try as it would, the church could not prevail on the people to give up the paganism that they embraced. The church's answer was to finally "Christianize" numerous pagan practices.

This adopting of pagan festivals was not without opposition however. While many professing Christians welcomed the liberty to celebrate these pagan practices, others objected. Many at the time understood that such practices were rankly pagan, ungodly practices which should never have been brought into the church. Christian preachers of the West and the Near East protested against the unseemly frivolity with which Christ's birthday was celebrated, while Christians of Mesopotamia accused their Western brethren of idolatry and sun worship for adopting as Christian this pagan festival.

Despite opposition by Christians committed to pursuing the teachings in scripture, pagan influence simply overwhelmed the church, transforming it into something far different from that raised up by Jesus through Peter and the apostles. This fact is confirmed by The Encyclopedia Americana which states:

Christmas... according to many authorities, was not celebrated in the first centuries of the Christian Church... In the fifth century the Western Church ordered it to be celebrated forever on the day of the old Roman Feast of the birth of Sol.

As you can see, ancient rites practiced by the pagan world were eventually grafted into Christianity. Rome had been pagan centuries before the birth of Christianity and it simply was not going to abandon its false religion. When Emperor Constantine ordered Christianity placed on equal footing with paganism, people preferred their old ways. They enjoyed those things they had always known, and simply adapted the old to appear to conform to the new.

They changed from worshiping the "sun" to worshiping the "Son" and this was done retaining all their old practices.

Most people today know little or nothing of the pagan origin of Christmas. They are unaware that faithful Christians first opposed these heretical practices. Additionally, most Christians today don't understand that believers dedicated to keeping the truth of God were forced to go underground, some suffering martyrdom rather than allowing themselves to participate in such things.

The Christmas Tree

The Christmas tree is arguably the most prominent symbol of this season. Millions of people bring an evergreen tree into their homes and decorate it with beautiful glass balls, tinsel, and lights. These same millions would never think of the Christmas tree as an idol which God abhors.

The tradition of bringing a tree into the home and decorating it came from a fable regarding Saint Boniface. According to tradition, Saint Boniface cut down the "great oak of Jupiter," a tree worshiped by pagan Teutons in Germany.

The story is that Saint Boniface came upon a band of heathens who were worshiping a huge oak tree. This band was about to offer a human sacrifice. Boniface intervened, stopping the sacrifice. He then ordered the tree cut down. Legend has it that a small fir tree sprang up in it's place. Boniface proclaimed that this tree was the tree of life and represented Christ.

Careful examination of this story reveals striking similarities to the story of Nimrod and Semeramis. After the death of Nimrod, his mother Semeramis declared that Nimrod was reincarnated in the form of an evergreen tree which sprung up overnight. History reveals that the worship of trees and nature was a common practice among pagans and continues to this very day.

It is important to understand that such practices are abhorrent to God. The tenth chapter of the book of Jeremiah illustrates this point. Here, God commands his people to "learn not the way of the heathen." He then goes into great detail describing a tradition in which the heathen cut a tree out of the forest and decorate it. God goes on to characterize this tree as a graven image (Jer. 10:1-2).

Although many argue that Jeremiah is not referring to the Christmas tree, in these verses, their argument misses the point. What God revealed through Jeremiah is that His children are to avoid practices that resemble those embraced by the pagan world. He did not say that it was appropriate to modify their practices and call them Christian. The Christmas tree is clearly a symbol of a faith that was vastly different from anything advocated by the scriptures.

The Christmas tree's origin in paganism is thoroughly supported by the testimony of history. Consider the words of Alexander Hislop.

The Christmas tree, now so common among us, was equally common in Pagan Rome and Pagan Egypt. In Egypt that tree was the palm tree; in Rome it was the fir; the palm tree denoting the Pagan Messiah, as Baal-Tamar, the fir referring to him as Baal-Berith.

The Christmas tree... recapitulates the idea of tree worship...gilded nuts and balls symbolizing the sun...all the festivities of the winter solstice have been absorbed into Christmas day...the use of holly and mistletoe to the Druidic ceremonies; the Christmas tree [ It is clear that the Christmas tree is a powerful symbol and conjures many images concerning the celebration it pictures. However, there is one thing the Christmas tree is NOT - it is not Christian. Everything about the Christmas tree can be traced to beliefs that are strongly condemned in scripture. There is no connection between the Christmas tree and the birth of Christ. It is a pagan symbol that God condemns.

In 1974, United Press International, one of the world's leading press agencies, carried an article regarding the origin of the Christmas tree. This article spoke volumes about this symbol that has come to be strongly embraced by the Christian world.

Toward the middle of winter, as the sun began setting further in the south, and the nights grew longer, ancient pagan priests put candles which they called fairy lights on trees in an attempt to lure the sun back toward the north. (December 17)

Today, millions of Christian homes around the world are adorned with evergreen trees every Christmas. Tragically, people fail to understand what these trees picture because they simply don't ask.

Santa Claus

One of the most prominent images associated with Christmas is that of Santa Claus. Every year, children around the world long for his arrival, for he is the giver of gifts. Today, Santa Claus is depicted as a lover of children and a true giver. During the Christmas season, people are even encouraged to join his great army of elves so that children around the world can be touched by his goodness. So popular is Santa Claus that adults tell children stories of his exploits. These stories are conveyed with such conviction that children believe them without question. But who is Santa Claus? And where did his story begin?

Many articles and books have been written to explain that Santa Claus was a bishop by the name of Nicholas who lived in Asia Minor during the fourth century. It is true that such a bishop did exist but much of what is attributed to him is untrue.

The second Vatican council formally stated that while there was a Roman Catholic bishop named Nicholas, they acknowledged that many concepts associated with him actually came from pagan sources. William Walsh wrote:

Santa Claus comes from Saint Nicholas, the saint whose festival was celebrated in December and the one who in other respects was most nearly in accord with the dim traditions of Saturn as the hero of the Saturnalia. (The Story of Santa Klaus, p.70)

Tony Van Renterghem writes the following in his book, When Santa Was a Shaman: The Ancient Origins of Santa Claus & the Christmas Tree:

In the newly Christianized areas where the pagan Celtic and Germanic cults remained strong, legends of the god Wodan were blended with those of various Christian saints; Saint Nicholas was one of these. There were Christian areas where Saint Nicholas ruled alone; in other locations, he was assisted by the pagan Dark Helper. In other remote areas... ancient pockets of the Olde Religion controlled traditions.

Here the Dark Helper ruled alone. Sometimes in a most confusing manner, using the cover name of Saint Nicholas or 'Klaus,' without in any way changing his threatening, Herne/Pan, fur-clad appearance.

By absorbing such pagan feasts and traditions, the Christian Church turned Herne into Saint Nicholas' captive, chained Dark Helper; none other than Satan the Dark One, symbolic of all evil...

The Worldbook Encyclopedia provides some interesting insights into some of the traditions regarding Santa Claus.

Some of Santa Claus's characteristics date back many centuries. For example, the belief that Santa enters the house through the chimney developed from a Norse legend. The Norse believed that the goddess Hertha appeared in the fireplace and brought good luck to the home.

Other traditions from the Druidic time suggest that Santa's red suit is a leftover from the times when ancient peoples worshiped the god of fire. Tradition has it that this fire god came down the chimney. Consider too, that in ancient times, Druid homeowners would leave a treat consisting of milk and pastries to appease this god who came down the chimney into their fireplace. This is how the tradition of leaving milk and cookies out for Santa began. The idea of placing stockings on the fireplace mantel also comes from this legendary pagan practice. It is clear that the modern Santa traces his origins back to ancient pagan traditions.

Christmas Presents

Most people believe the tradition of giving Christmas presents comes from the Bible. The assumption is that the wise men gave gifts to Jesus, therefore it is appropriate for us to give gifts to each other.

However, careful examination of this tradition will reveal that gift giving has nothing to do with Magi or the gifts they presented to Christ. Both religious and secular history reveal a clear connection between giving gifts during the Christmas season and pagan practices. Consider the following insights concerning this practice.

The interchange of presents between friends is a like characteristic of Christmas and the Saturnalia, and must have been adopted by Christians from the Pagans, as the admonition of Tertullian plainly shows. (The Bibliotheca Sacra, vol. 12, p. 153)

Tertullian wrote in his work, On Idolatry that during the pagan feast of the Saturnalia which was celebrated in December, gifts were "carried to and fro."

According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, exchanging gifts at this time of the year may have been influenced by similar customs practiced by the pagans on January 1.

"Gifts are exchanged by the French on January 1, by the Spanish and Italians on January 6, and by other nationalities on December 25. In most parts of Europe it was the Christ Child who brought the gifts. After the Reformation, the day itself was personified, and the figure of Father Christmas was later combined with St. Nicholas, [who later became] Santa Claus." (p. 659)

William Walsh provides additional insights into the tradition of exchanging presents.

Christmas gifts themselves remind us of the presents that were exchanged in Rome during the Saturnalia. In Rome, it might be added, the presents usually took the form of wax tapers and dolls - the latter being in their turn a survival of the human sacrifices once offered to Saturn. It is a queer thought that in our Christmas presents we are preserving under another form one of the most savage customs of our barbarian ancestors. (The Story of Santa Klaus, p.67)

Gifts to a King

It is important to understand that the wise men did not give gifts to each other. Additionally, the gifts they brought to Christ were not birthday presents. Jesus did not receive toys from these visitors, but rather unusual offerings that many believe carry great significance.

It has been suggested that gold was is a gift given to a king, frankincense a gift given to a priest and myrrh-a spice used in preparing a body for burial-was a gift that was given to a condemned man. It is clear that the wise men presented gifts to Jesus because they understood Him to be a great King. The protocol at that time was to never approach the presence of kings or dignitaries without bearing a gift. Adam Clark's commentary expresses it this way:

"The people of the east never approach the presence of kings and great personages without a present in their hands." (Vol. 5, p. 46)

The truth is that gift giving at this time of year is not scriptural and has no basis in the story of the wise men. The giving of gifts at this time of year came from the practice of the ancient Saturnalia. Today, this worship of Saturn has merged with the worship of Mammon, the god of money.

Commercialism, Not Christianity

Over the centuries the practice of giving gifts at this time of year has amplified to become big business! Hallmark, one of the nation's top three wrapping paper manufacturers, announced that during one Christmas season, it will produce over 24,000 miles of wrapping paper and Americans will spend over seven billion dollars on children's toys during the Christmas season.

Collectively, agencies and photo studios suit up and ship out as many as 20,000 Santa Clauses to malls, parades, and parties every year. It has been estimated that retail stores can generate $35,000 in additional income simply by having a photographer and a rented Santa Claus for the season. It is also estimated that mall traffic increases by 15% when a Santa Claus is in one of the big stores.

In the city of Los Angeles alone the number of Christmas trees sold tops 1.1 million. In addition, 3000 letters addressed to Santa Claus will go through the Los Angeles Post Office and this county will also consume over ten million kilowatt hours of electricity to support its Christmas lights. This is the average monthly usage for many third world countries and this is just one City of thousands across the U.S.

The average American family will receive 26 cards while 650 million Christmas packages will be sent to friends and loved ones through the mail during this season. The city of Beverly Hills will spend over one million dollars on their holiday decorations while See's Candy will sell over 12 million pounds of candy.

In the United States, retailers have glamorized Christmas as no other holiday. They lavishly decorate their stores, pipe in special music and hire men in Santa Claus suits, all for one purpose: to lure shoppers into a spirit of consuming.

So important is Christmas to the economy of the United States that the absence of such a holiday could literally paralyze the country. It has been suggested that 50% of annual profits enjoyed by retailers is generated by Christmas-related sales. Recently, an executive of one of America's largest retail chains suggested that 75% of their profits were generated between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Tragically, all of this vast spending does not really make people happy. During this time of the year 35% to 40% of Americans will become so depressed they will use alcohol or drugs to simply cope with the emptiness they feel at this professed "joyous" time. Reacting to this gross commercialism of Christmas, numerous religious leaders have been heard to exclaim, "We ought to put Christ back in Christmas." But the truth is, Christ was NEVER in Christmas and He never will be!

Regardless of how Christmas has been packaged it is a pagan holiday that is wholly dedicated to materialism. It is sin wrapped in colorful paper, dressed up in a red suit and swathed in soft fuzzy angel hair. People may tell themselves that they are worshiping Christ when they celebrate it, but the truth be known that Christmas has absolutely nothing to do with the Savior of mankind and He will never have anything to do with it!

As benign as these symbols may appear, make no mistake about it: they are deeply rooted in practices God condemns throughout the scriptures. God does not need the Yule log, holly, mistletoe, or any other form of vegetation used in the worship of false gods. The Bible records that while speaking to a woman from Samaria, Jesus said that God must be worshiped in spirit and in truth (Jn. 4:24).

The belief that these symbols are legitimately connected to Christ's birth is totally false. They are pagan to the core and should be forsaken.

The Birth of the Messiah

The belief that Jesus was born on or near December 25 has no basis in fact. Actually, this date has a very sullied past. It was the birthday of the sun god Mithra and of Nimrod and is connected with many vile practices associated with paganism. Virtually all credible records indicate that the early Church did not even celebrate birthdays.

The World Book Encyclopedia reveals the following:

The exact date of Christ's birth is not known. The early Christians did not celebrate His birth, because they considered the celebration of anyone's birth to be a pagan custom. The first mention of the observance of Christ's birthday appears about A.D. 200. For many years, several dates were used. December 25 was first mentioned in 336. (article "Christmas")

Should Christians Celebrate Christmas?

It is undeniable that Christmas is the most anticipated time of the year for millions of Christians. It is a time of beautiful music, delicious food, bright colors, and family reunions. However, there is one thing Christmas is not; it is not now, nor has it ever been, Christian. The Puritans understood this vital point. William Prynne wrote the following during the time of King Charles:

Our Christmas lords of Misrule... were derived from the Roman Saturnalia and Bacchanalian festivals; which should cause all pious Christians eternally to abominate them. (Book of Christian Folklore, p. 8)

As innocent and appealing as this day may appear, it has at its very roots a dark and godless origin. Tom Flynn, in his book, The Problem with Christmas, provides a very interesting observation about the message Christmas sends.

If His purpose in coming was anything like what is supposed, then in celebrating His birthday each year Christians do violence, not honor, to his memory. For in celebrating a birthday at all, we sustain exactly the kind of tradition His coming is thought to have been designed to cast down. (p.42)

It is absolutely essential to understand that God hates a lie, no matter what form it takes. Satan himself was characterized as the father of lies (Jn. 8:44) and the deceiver of the whole world (Rev. 12:9). The scriptures also reveal that Satan appears as an angel of light. Is it any wonder that festivals honoring him would possess great beauty and appeal?

A Final Thought

Is Christmas Christian? The simple answer is "no;" it is an emphatic "no!" Christmas is not Christian; it is pagan to the core. Its images and symbols were embraced from pagan practices and should be abandoned by all true believers. While speaking to the children of Israel, God gave a strong admonition concerning the assimilation of false religions into the worshiping of Him.

Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou enquire not after their gods, saying, "How did these nations serve their gods? Even so will I do likewise."

Thou shalt not do so unto the Eternal thy God: for every abomination to the Eternal, which He hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods. What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it. (Deut. 12:30-32)

The Bible reveals that Jesus Christ will return to this earth and establish His millennial Kingdom. When He comes, will He find His children have returned to Egypt? And what about you? Will you accept the teachings of a world that embraces pagan practices and dresses them up as Christianity, or will you worship Him in spirit and in truth?

Christmas Cards

Strictly speaking, a Christmas card is a greeting card specifically oriented for the Christmas celebrations of December 25th. The Christmas card is a message to all the people here and gone that we will remember them every year when the weather gets a bit colder. More often than you might like to admit, a Christmas card is the only news your friends and family get from you over the year. A Christmas card is the way to bring our love and wishes of happiness and health to all people we know. The Christmas card is a charming addition to traditional seasonal pop music. In theory sending a Christmas card is a gesture of regard so straightforward that it borders on the banal. Most Christmas cards are printed on a premium paper and comes with matching envelopes.

The Christmas card is not a Danish invention, but came to the country from England where the first Christmas card was sent in 1842. The first Christmas card is thought to have been designed by British artist John Horsley in 1840, a Royal Academician. The Christmas card is a Victorian creation, which began as a kind of stationery. The founder of the American Christmas card is said to be Louis Prang of Boston who printed a wide variety of album cards and visiting cards. The corporate Christmas card is a later invention, that wonderfully heart felt standard issue message from one company to another company. In fact the corporate Christmas card is a relatively modern invention.

A more recent invention is the photo Christmas card which is not likely to make it to the rubbish bin but more likely to be kept and either framed or placed into a photo album. A personalized Christmas card is a wonderful way to connect with friends and family during the holiday season. A handmade Christmas card is a great present to give. Even Prime Ministers send Christmas cards, Mr. Tony Blair's Christmas card is illustrated by a picture of him and his young family on the steps of No 10 Downing Street. When you want to surprise someone with a unique gift for Christmas, a personalized Christmas card is the best option for guaranteed originality. If the photo Christmas card is high quality, it will surely be displayed on friends' and family's mantels long after Christmas is over. A hand-made Christmas card is always a treasure to keep. Receiving a handmade Christmas card is somehow more special. Of course, making your own photo Christmas card is becoming easier than ever, with the introduction of the low cost color printer and the many services on the internet which specialize in making personalized Christmas cards.

The most apparent of what you’re looking for in a Christmas card is the look. Think the Christmas card is the least important part of the Christmas present? Sending a business Christmas card is more than just a nice touch; business Christmas cards let you build a relationship with your clients and prospects. Creating a company Christmas card is an opportunity to send festive greetings to clients and customers. You may think a humorous Christmas card is hilarious, but this is not the time to test to see if your clients have a good sense of humor. Make certain that the type face used on your business Christmas card is large and clear enough for all your clients to read easily.

A Charity Christmas Card is a simple and effective way of giving to someone less fortunate than yourself. Of course, in the age of email, a Christmas card is a rare opportunity to send a message (such as a key fingerprint) by a pretty secure channel. The most important consideration for choosing a Christmas card is the picture. A lighthouse Christmas card is one of the most sought after cards during the festive season. It has to be said that the life of a conventional Christmas card is extremely short, particularly those sent business-to-business, you can increase the length of its life by making it stand out.

In order for a photo Christmas card to be aesthetically pleasing, great care should be given to the photo that will be used. So when Christmas is here celebrate with family and friends the gift of a photo Christmas card. There are many photo Christmas card companies on the internet that are offering unique, original, personalized designs. In spite of all the difficulties, there are few things more valuable or worthwhile than enclosing a family photo within a Christmas card. With your family's photo and the wording of your choice you will have the perfect Christmas card to spread the Christmas joy this season. Surprise loved ones with updated family photos on your personalized photo Christmas Card.

We truly believe that Christmas just isn't the same without a personalized Christmas card on your mantle, above the stockings, and we're here to help. Nothing personalizes this holiday season more than a photo Christmas card. Remember that a well thought out and personalized Christmas card can help build and cement relationships. Personalized Christmas greeting cards, what better way to stay in touch with close friends and family members than to send them a Christmas card. Surprise your child this Christmas with a personalized Christmas card from Santa Claus and the North Pole.

Should you include a business card with your business Christmas card? Should you send business Christmas cards to clients and customers? Business cards are Powerful ways to promote your Business. This allows you to feature your company logo, business related photographs or personal photographs as part of the finished Christmas card design. Get just the right business Christmas card or corporate holiday card for your profession or occupation. Will you be sending a business Christmas card to your clients this holiday season. Just let me say, forgetting to send a card to an important client is considered the ultimate snub in certain business circles. Business Christmas, Holiday and Thanksgiving cards can be personalized with your company name or logo. Most business professionals believe that it is not tactful to include your business card in with a Christmas card, but I will leave that extra step up to your judgment.

Clearly the Christmas card is a must at this festive time of year if you want to show your how important friends, family and business associates are to you. The question is not, should you send a Christmas card but, what form should that card take. With the many options available to you from the e-mail card, to the photo card to the traditional Christmas card there is no reason not to show your appreciation to your friends and business associates.